The Vaccines

The other day, I stood up in front of all my friends and confessed my love for punk. It was Shakespeare worthy, but took my friends by suprise since I'm sort of notorious for my love of indie-folk classics. You know, the usual. Mumford & Sons, Bombay Bicycle Club, Stornaway, ect. Then I found Thee Oh Sees, a classic mix of punk and garage band rock. I feel in love.
Now, I'm falling head over heels for the British band The Vaccines. The lead singers intoxicating voice, the loud guitar nearly over powering his, I repeat, intoxicating voice. It's like a dream. My favorite of their songs happens to be "Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)", and it seems I'm not the only one. Apparently, the band is becoming quite the catch in the U.K.
Anyway, the band seems to keep cool throughout the songs, unlike many punk bands who quickly turn into loud, ear plug worthy disasters. Nylon said it perfectly (how predictable...a Nylon reference!) "...the mannered posturing of the Strokes and the raw urgency of the Ramones." I couldn't have said it better myself.

Take a listen, and tell me what you think: Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)- The Vaccines
Er...mind the picture.

Beach House Teen Dream Final Shows!

I don't know if you can tell, but above this text is the album cover of Teen Dream, by Beach House. If I do say so myself, it is one excellent masterpiece. The once duo, now full band is preforming their final shows in support of Teen Dream. As sad as this is, I do believe this means there is more to come.

What's intresting is that with these final 5 showings (in the US) comes a sweatshirt. An organic one. If you buy the ticket, you can also get the shirt! Not for free of course. That would be downright crazy. The shirt is grey with white designs. The link is below, because I suck at explaining things.

Alas, it isn't cheap (for me, anyway) but I do intend on seeing the concert if I don't procrastinate for a porposterous amount of time, and get there before it's sold out.

The shows are:

Thursday 2/17 -- The Music Box -- LA, CA

Friday 2/18 -- The Fillmore -- San Francisco, CA

Wednsday 2/23 -- Webster Hall -- New York, NY

Thursday 2/24 -- Trocadero Theatre -- Philadelphia, PA

Saturday 2/26 -- 9: 30 Club -- Washington, D.C.

Will you be going?

Anyway, the sweatshirts are awesome. I'm thinking I'll get it for a future birthday present...some day...

Check it out:

http://tickets.beachhousebaltimore.com/

American Crisis? Nope.

I love Nylon magazine. I've always loved Nylon, but for some reason, this issue (November 2010), really hit home for me. Maybe it's the fact that Nylon hit up my home? Of course, they did so just as I was getting bored. Leave it to them to show me all the wonders of the nation that I've simply looked over. This issue was the America Issue. Anyway, like a true groupie, I read and devoured the issue like it was the Bible, and then, oh yes I did, I: highlighted and folded! I re-read the mag for all the lovely bands I could find. Some of them I know, and have for a while, but some of them, I've just discovered, and have fallen in love with. If you haven't read this issue, or Nylon in general, do it! You'll never go back. Anyway, back to these new found bands...Let the "honeymoon stage" commence:

The Black Angels - a slowed down version of Thee Oh Sees (who were also featured in the issue!) the music they make is hypnotic and alluring.

Blind Pilot - oh God, don't even get me started on them. I'm in love. Part of me says that they're reminiscent of bands like Seabear, Death Cab for Cutie, Cheif and Fleet Foxes, but they have such a beautiful sound, that I forget what the hell I'm thinking about when I listen to them, and can't finish the connection...like now...

Pet Lions - this band reminds me of Neon Trees meets Japanese Motors meets Starfucker (that's quite possibly the most random mix of bands...). This is indie-pop, and with a techno flair, they show that indie music can be fun to listen to.

Elizabeth and the Catapult - never in my life have a been happier listening to a band. Elizabeth's peppy voice is addictive, I swear. At first listen, I was hating the happy, trippy, Dora the Explorer vibe of "Race You", then it caught on.

Turbo Fruits - raw, raw, raw, raw...Volcanoe. And I love it...Volcanoe.

Stone Darling- don't we all love girl power? When you can't take and more Florence and the Machine, and Beach House gets repetitive, check them out. This all-girl folky band is awesome.

There were a ton of other bands feature that I adored, but some of them I couldn't find proper videos to link, others I missed, and others, well, they just didn't make the cut. So check it out. Do YOU think I missed some essential bands from the issue? What do you think of this stuff?

Have a listen.

Happy Halloween!

Review: The Orchard/Ra Ra Riot

Ra Ra Riot is amazing, and will always be. I'm a tad late on this one, being that I'm the epitome of laziness. Anyway, I've heard a few complaints that the album is identical to their past ones. In response, I say: RRR's tracks may sound the same, but hey, isn't that the point of being in a band? Creating a sound. RRR certainly has done that. I'm so impressed with The Orchard. I was expecting a bit of a sophmore slump, but they proved me wrong. I do think that each song is slightly morbid in it's own way, which must be connected to the recent death of their drummer. But, no one can deny that the base in "Boy", and the harmony within Wes's own voice is incredible. And Too Dramatic...the first 5 seconds of that song puts me in a trance. But if you've already heard that:

Shadowcasting - Ra Ra Riot

Have a listen.